One year after the release of the HERTA debut album “Crossing The Illusion”, we proudly present “The Illusion Alive“.
“The Illusion Alive” is the band’s first ever self-produced headline show in their hometown, Athens, Greece, on December 21, 2025 with special appearances by Sakis Tolis (Rotting Christ), Fotis Benardo (Septicflesh, Nightrage) andGeorge Prokopiou (Poem, Mother of Millions).
A huge thank you to everyone who supported this show, all the bands and musicians involved, and every single person we had the pleasure of working with throughout this journey.
Shape this world to be saved.
HERTA’s sound is characterized by groove- and rhythm-driven compositions that continually offer surprises and fresh impressions. Despite the complexity and technical prowess of their music, the songs remain accessible and catchy. The band’s keen sense of atmosphere and melody shines through, creating eventful tracks that captivate listeners from start to finish.
01. Tribal (live) 02. Eyes of Sorrow (live) 03. The Snake Devours the Wolf (live) 04. The Labyrinth feat. Fotis Benardo (live) 05. Beyond the Dead (live) 06. Monolith feat. Sakis Tolis (live) 07. My Demise (live) 08. River to the Abyss feat. George Prokopiou (live) 09. The Path (live) 10. Incarnation (live) 11. Control (live)
A few months ago, epic folk metallers Mandragora Titania released their third album, In Fabulis. After an extensive release tour, the septet now presents a cinematic music video for “Herr vom Riesenstein” from the current album. Direction and production were handled by Florian Singer, who brought the song to life with striking visual storytelling. The current album is available everywhere in stores, as well as in a limited digipak edition and a limited box set in the band’s online shop.
Acclaimed guitarist and singer-songwriter and South African Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Steve Louw is pleased to announce the release of his fourth studio album Traces of the Flood out today! Produced by Kevin Shirley (Joe Bonamassa, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Beth Hart), the album is released by BFD/The Orchard on Friday May 15th, and is available to order on CD, vinyl and digital HERE.
To coincide with the album release, Louw has released the title track single “Traces of the Flood” which is accompanied by the official music video that can be viewed on YouTube HERE.
Says Louw about the title track single; “In this panoramic tale, set in the barren South African Karoo landscape, we are on an exploration, traveling from the sea to the source of an African river. In a timeless landscape, cut through by wind and water, we meet renegades and rebels, lawmen and ladies, on a journey which becomes one of self-discovery.”
“Traces of the Flood is a song where you have to keep moving,” continues Louw. “The law is on your back. Storms are brewing. Fires are raging. You’re heading into the high mountains with a way to go.”
“Horses, Cadillacs and Bonnie & Clyde Whippets cross the empty plains, leading you through where a river quivers and disappears into a desert forest. The spirits of the dead are all around you, in the high plains and on moonlit gravel. You’ve landed on a deserted beach and sought redemption in the heart of the river.”
Steve Louw – Biography
Steve Louw (born 16 September 1955) is a South African musician and singer-songwriter who specialises in album rock, blues rock, country rock and Americana music. He was born in The Hague and has been active as a musician since 1981. He was inducted in the South African Rock Hall of Fame in 2003.
Louw, who was born Stephen Geoffrey Louw, learnt to play the guitar after being inspired by the music of Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, and Neil Young, and formed his first band, Atlantic Rose, while in high school in Cape Town in the late 1960s. While a student at Stellenbosch University in the 1970s he became involved in the local music scene, playing his own songs in various line-ups.
His career as a professional musician began in the early 1980s when he formed the band All Night Radio with fellow former Stellenbosch University students Nico Burger (guitar) and Rob Nagel (bass). The group recorded two albums – The Heart’s the Best Part (1984) with US producer John Rollo, and The Killing Floor (1986), on which Louw began a partnership with producer Kevin Shirley that continues to this day.
Louw then formed the band Big Sky and in 1990 released their debut album, Waiting for the Dawn, again produced by Kevin Shirley. The album arrived just as South Africa began moving away from apartheid rule and the group’s music helped soundtrack a decade of positive revolution. The title track is today considered a South African rock classic.
Big Sky released another five albums over the next 15 years: Horizon (1995), Going Down with Mr Green (1997), Best of the Decade (1999), Beyond the Blue (2002) and Trancas Canyon (2008); as well as the concert DVD Heart and Soul, filmed at Cape Town’s Little Theatre in 2008.
Louw and Big Sky achieved considerable success in South Africa with sell-out tours and several major radio hits including “Kathleen”, “Mr Green”, “One Cut With A Knife”, “Strange Room” and “Diamonds and Dirt”. In 1996 the band won the FNB South African Music Award for “Best Pop Music Performance” and “Best Rock Album” for the album Horizon.
In 1998 Big Sky opened for US singer-songwriter Rodriguez on his triumphant debut tour of South Africa, with the musicians in the band also backing the US artist. The tour is chronicled in the 2012 Oscar-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man.
Louw gained an international profile after he collaborated with Brian May (Queen) and Dave Stewart (the Eurythmics) on the track “Amandla”, recorded for the 46664 Aids awareness project inspired by the work of Nelson Mandela.
In 2021 Louw returned with the album Headlight Dreams, produced by Kevin Shirley, and recorded in Nashville with crack studio musicians and featuring a guest appearance by US guitar legend Joe Bonamassa. The album received critical acclaim and the first single, “Wind in Your Hair”, has become a popular Spotify hit.
Louw released his sophomore solo release Thunder and Rain on November 11, 2022, through BFD. The album was produced by Kevin Shirley and features Joe Bonamassa and Doug Lancio.
On 6 September 2024, Louw released his third solo album Between Time, produced by Kevin Shirley.
On 15 May 2026, Louw will release his fourth solo album Traces of the Flood, produced by Kevin Shirley.
New England melodic death metal band FIRES IN THE DISTANCE continue the unfolding journey toward their third full-length album Circadian Promise, set for release June 12th via Prosthetic Records, with the arrival of their latest single, “To You, Author of My Fade.”
Following the release of the album’s lead track “Of Radiance and Levitation,” the new single pushes further into the record’s emotional and sonic extremes, revealing a more volatile and confrontational side of the band’s evolving sound. Where earlier previews leaned into catharsis and melodic expanse, “To You, Author of My Fade” sharpens the edges—intensifying the interplay between atmosphere, aggression, and introspection that defines Circadian Promise.
As FIRES IN THE DISTANCE continue to refine their signature blend of melancholic melody, cinematic orchestration, and progressive death metal dynamics, the band describes the new track as a pivotal moment in the album’s emotional arc:
“As the album unfolds, this song delivers a new level of ferocity which we have not explored before.The song delves into the concepts of self-confrontation and recognition of one’s own limitations.”
That sense of internal reckoning sits at the core of Circadian Promise, the band’s follow-up to their acclaimed 2023 release Air Not Meant For Us. Across the album, FIRES IN THE DISTANCE expand their sound while deepening its emotional weight—balancing sweeping orchestral textures with serrated vocals, intricate guitar work, and a renewed sense of urgency brought in part by vocalist/guitarist Brendan Hayter’s expanded role.
1. Of. Radiance and Levitation 2. To You, Author of My Fade 3. Lightless Days of a Songless Bird 4. By This Time Tomorrow (Feat. Johan Reinholdz of Dark Tranquillity) 5. Once the Silence Takes Your Place 6. Agonal Dreaming
FIRES IN THE DISTANCE Tour Dates:
June 4 – Somerville, MA – The Rockwell June 5 – New York, NY – The Meadows June 19 – Toronto, ON – The Baby G w/ Solemn Vision June 20 – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar w/ Solemn Vision June 21 – Québec, QC – L’Anti w/ Solemn Vision Sept 10 – Atlanta, GA – ProgPower
About FIRES IN THE DISTANCE:
Originally conceived in 2016 as founding guitarist Yegor Savonin’s solo project, FIRES IN THE DISTANCE quickly evolved into a full band, earning acclaim with 2020’s Echoes From Deep November and 2023’s Air Not Meant For Us. Following a high-profile 2024 North American tour, the group reunited with producer Dave Kaminsky and orchestrator Randy Slaugh, while welcoming new vocalist/guitarist Brendan Hayter. The resulting six-track album—some songs stretching beyond nine minutes—is their bleakest yet most embracing work, blending cinematic orchestration, organic production, and dynamic vocal contrasts.
Lyrically and thematically, Circadian Promiseexplores spiritual erosion, mortality, and the search for acceptance, balancing existential weight with hard-won optimism. Recorded in Connecticut and North Carolina, the album retains a resonant human warmth even in its most technical passages, pairing atmospheric strings and expansive leads with Hayter’s serrated growls and somber cleans. Singles like “Of Radiance and Levitation,” “To You, Author of My Fade,” and “By This Time Tomorrow” reflect deeply personal meditations on depression, self-awareness, and grief, while showcasing the band’s cinematic scope and emotional intensity. With touring planned for 2026 and beyond, Circadian Promise continues FIRES IN THE DISTANCE’s decade-long pursuit of catharsis—melding Savonin’s introspective vision with powerful songwriting, immersive arrangements, and evolving musical ambition.
FIRES IN THE DISTANCE Lineup: Yegor Savonin – guitar/lyrics/songwriting Brendan Hayter – vocals/guitar/additional lyrics Craig Breitsprecher – bass/backing vocals Jordan Rippe – drums
Finnish fuzz rock quartet Heezer return with their energetic new single “This Town,” a hometown anthem that proudly waves the flag for their roots in Imatra. The track delivers a fierce mix of desert rock drive, stoner groove, gritty tones, and unexpected melodic hooks borrowed from the world of pop punk. The single is released alongside a video showcasing the band’s hometown. Watch HERE. Listen HERE
“This Town got on its tracks quickly, and this train-like, forward-pushing song is one of the most energetic tracks on the album,” says guitarist Ville Räsänen. “While filming scenes for the video, we realized our hometown desperately needs the same kind of speed and wind-in-your-hair energy that the song has. It’s sad, but the sun always rises again. At least we unintentionally captured some beautifully decadent urban romance.”
“The idea for the song came to me when I heard a Rob Zombie track with a great driving rhythm. I asked our drummer Häsä to record a couple of minutes of that kind of groove on drums, and I started crafting a riff on top of it. After a while it clicked – and since the chorus was already echoing in the back of my head, the rest of the song came together quickly. And as anyone who knows me can guess, the song is about Imatra – especially the free city of Vuoksenniska, where I still hope to live again someday”, Sami Kääriäinen explains.
“This Town” is the second single taken from Heezer’s upcoming second album Stereolith, set for release on August 13. The first single “Horse” was released in April alongside an official music video. Watch HERE. Listen “Horse” HERE.
Stereolith tracklist: 1. Horse 2. This Town 3. Stone I Am 4. Let It Burn 5. Moonshine 6. Mountain 7. Crazy 8. The Van 9. Desert
Heezer stand firmly behind their professional DIY mindset and feel they’ve taken major steps forward in their evolution – from stronger songwriting to a higher production level. The band’s sharpened approach shines through in a powerful and distinctive result. Still, their main principle remains unchanged: making music has to stay fun, now and in the future.
Heezer have been steadily winning over audiences both on streaming platforms and on stage. See band live this summer:
July 3 – Playhouse Bar, Helsinki (w/ Monsternaut (FIN), I Am Low (SWE)) July 4 – Bar Kotelo, Tampere (w/ Atomic Annie (FIN), Le Mondays (SWE)) August 7 – Patruuna Fest, Imatra
Heezer line-up: Sami Kääriäinen – vocals, guitar Ville Räsänen – guitar Antti Vesikko – bass Ville Häsä – drums
Polish prog metal/djent outfit THE MATERIA have spent over a decade forging their own path through the modern heavy music landscape. Since forming in 2007, the band has built a reputation for combining crushing riffs, intricate structures, groove-driven energy, and atmospheric electronics with a strong emotional core.
Refusing to be boxed into a single genre, THE MATERIA move freely between modern metal, metalcore, and djent, delivering a sound that is both technically sharp and emotionally charged. Their intense live presence has taken them to stages across Europe and beyond, including appearances at Wacken Open Air, Brutal Assault, and Euroblast.
For years, THE MATERIA have remained a band unafraid to push stylistic boundaries — creating music that is heavy, modern, and emotionally uncompromising. The band has released four albums to date, and right now they are currently preparing to release a new record, scheduled for August 28, 2026, during the 14th edition of Materiafest.
The material for the upcoming album was self-recorded by the band, while mixing and mastering were handled by Konrad Janiszewski, known for his work with Heresy Denied and Sour Blood.
The Piesiak brothers comment on the new track: “The lyrics were inspired by George Orwell’s novel ‘1984’. This timeless work carries a profound message about our existence — or perhaps stagnation — within society. The song is a call to remain relentless in the fight against an invisible enemy that affects every human being in the world“.
On May 4, 2026 the band released their new single “1984” digitally (smart link), and today they present an official music video created with the involvement of many collaborators, including Oliwia “Dżoli” Piwko, Oliver “Loki” Jakubowicz, and Julia Karwasz. The video was shot at Yew Tree Studio.
LINEUP:
Michał Piesiak – vocal, bass Tadeusz Piesiak – guitar, vocal Adrian Dubiński – guitar Jeremiasz Baum – drums
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 